Three killed in Russian plane explosion

Moscow, Jan 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least three passengers were killed and over 40 injured when a Russian jet carrying 134 people exploded shortly after making an emergency landing at a Siberian airport.

The accident took place Saturday when the Russian Tu-154M passenger jet of Kogalymavia Airlines, which was to land at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, made an emergency landing at the Surgut Airport due to an engine flaming out shortly after take-off. The landing was followed by an explosion.

A spokesman for the Federal Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, said there were 134 people on board the plane, including 116 passengers and 18 crewmembers.

According to the information posted on the airport’s website, 43 people were injured and three others were missing.

Transport Minister Igor Levitin said that the plane crew and the airport services did their best to evacuate the passengers as soon as possible. However, eyewitnesses said that fire exits had been closed for a long time and the passengers had to jump out through the flame.

–IANS/RIA Novosti